How to Get to Yakushima: Ferry, Flight and Getting Around

A common question is whether you can get to Yakushima by train. Not directly. The island lies off the south of Kyushu, so you take a train or fly to Kagoshima first and then continue by ferry or plane. Planning therefore has three stages: reaching Kagoshima, crossing the water, and moving around the island. This article explains each stage and compares routes from Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and airports in Kyushu.

The fastest route in summary

The fastest option is usually to fly to Kagoshima and then take a small plane to Yakushima Airport, with a short final flight. A popular and flexible alternative is the high-speed ferry from Kagoshima port, which takes roughly two hours or more. A slower ferry takes longer and may be cheaper, suiting those in no hurry. Timetables and prices vary with season and sea conditions, and both ferries and planes can be cancelled in strong wind or typhoons.

From Tokyo

From Tokyo most travellers fly from Haneda Airport to Kagoshima, a direct flight of roughly two hours. From there an airport bus or shuttle takes you into the city, from where you go to the port or connect to a flight to Yakushima. The shinkansen from Tokyo to Kagoshima-Chuo requires a change at Shin-Osaka and takes many hours, so it suits rail fans or pass users more than those short of time. Allow a night in Kagoshima if the first ferry leaves early.

From Osaka and Kyoto

From Osaka, the Sanyo and Kyushu shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Kagoshima-Chuo takes roughly four hours or more and avoids airport check-in. From Kyoto you first reach Kyoto or Shin-Osaka station. There are also flights from Osaka to Kagoshima, and some small direct flights to Yakushima from a few cities may exist, so check with the airline whether they operate on your dates.

From airports and nearby cities

From Kagoshima Airport, an airport bus into the city takes roughly 40 minutes to an hour depending on route and traffic. The ferry terminal for Yakushima is near the city centre and can be reached by tram or taxi. From Fukuoka you can ride the shinkansen to Kagoshima-Chuo in roughly an hour and a half to two hours, which is easier than changing planes if you already land in Fukuoka.

Train, ferry and rental car compared

Passes and tickets that apply

National or regional rail passes can offset the train portion, such as Kyushu shinkansen rides, but they do not cover the ferry to the island or the flights. Work out whether separate train tickets are cheaper than a pass, especially if you use only one or two legs. On the island, some bus operators offer multi-day tickets, but types and conditions change, so ask the local bus operators.

Luggage and booking

Small aircraft often have tighter baggage limits than large airlines, so check before booking. Ferries have luggage space, but pack a hiking bag separately from a larger bag that stays at the lodging. In holiday periods or the hiking season, seats can sell out, so book ahead and leave buffer time in case a ferry is delayed or cancelled. Avoid booking an international flight home on the same day you leave the island.

On a day when a ferry, a plane and a bus connect, checking live status apps helps a lot. An eSIM that works as soon as you land in Japan saves you from hunting for Wi-Fi along the way.

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